Histadrut calls to shut down economy as Israelis take to streets after hostage bodies recovered

The Histadrut, Israel's main labor organization, called for a total shutdown of the country's economy on Monday starting at 6 a.m., including Ben Gurion Airport, which will be shut down from 8 a.m.

Israelis gathered at junctions and blocked intersections around the country Sunday morning, calling for a hostage deal after reports came out that the bodies of six hostages had been retrieved from Gaza.

 

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Ori Danino were alive in captivity for nearly 11 months before being killed in captivity by Hamas soon before IDF forces reached their location, according to an IDF initial assessment. 

After reports that six bodies of hostages recently killed were retrieved, protesters blocked the junction outside Weizmann Institute in Rehovot. September 1, 2024. (credit: Courtesy)

"The national leadership has abandoned the hostages, and it is the time of social, economic, and local leadership to stand by the hostage families, by the public, and by the values of solidarity and mutual responsibility," said the forum.

The labor federation is considering possible steps and will announce its decision today, Ynet reported.